Gem Quiz

A Rare But Shy Beauty, I Prefer the Shadows to the Bright Lights

It doesn’t help that I’m typically too soft for jewelry, but collectors adore me. Who am I?

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2023

INSTORE Staff

A Rare But Shy Beauty, I Prefer the Shadows to the Bright Lights

I AM A SENSITIVE soul, too soft to be worn for jewelry and highly averse to light. If I were a French writer, I would have spent my life lying in bed, thinking existential thoughts. But as a much-sought-after collector’s gemstone, I am more likely to be found in a felt-lined tray at Tucson or the mineral section of a museum. Pull back the wraps and my ruby-colored beauty and metallic luster will be revealed. But cover me up quickly or my silver-driven dark side soon begins to take over.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”